Pocket letter scale



July 23, 1-935.

W. A. SCHEURER POCKET LETTER SCALE Filed Jan. 26, 1955 INVENTOR. W////am A Scbeurer BY am 7 ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 23, 1935 PATENT OFFICE POCKET LETTER SCALE William A. Scheurer, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Exact Weight Scale Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 26, 1935, Serial No. 3,620

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a pocket letter scale. It has to do, more particularly, with a scale which is adapted to be used particularly for weighing letters or other small articles to determine the amount of postage required for mailing such letters or articles. It is of such a nature that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket.

There have been several scales of the general type indicated devised in the past. These prior art scales have sometimes taken the form of a fountain pen or pencil. However, all of such devices have been possessed of certain undesirable features. Some of the prior art devices have been complicated in nature and difficult to assemble and, consequently, have been expensive to manufacture. Also, in prior art scales of this general type there have been no means for effectively adjusting the resistance of the resistance element which usually takes the form of a spring. Also, other desirable adjustments, such as the accurate initial positioning of the zero mark on the scale relative to an indicating point, could not be obtained in prior art scales of this general type. Another disadvantage of some of the prior art scales of this type resides in the fact that they have been of such a structure as to permit dirt or dust to reach the operating mechanism thereof and thereby affect the accuracy of the scale. r

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a letter scale which has the appearance of a fountain pen or a pencil and which may be readily and conveniently carried in the pocket.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pocket letter scale whichis of very simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, which can be manufactured at a low cost and which can be easily assembled.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pocket letter scale. wherein the resistance element may be readily adjusted in order. to vary the resistance thereof so that accuracy may be imparted to the scale and which may be adjusted to accurately position the zero point of the weight indicating mechanism relative to an indicating point. I

Another object of my invention is to provide a scale of the type indicated wherein-the operating mechanism is completely enclosed and is fully protected.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through the pocket scale made in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the main portion of the container or housing of the scale with the cap removed therefrom.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of my pocket scale showing the cap in position so that the scale is ready to be positioned in the pocket.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the scale showing how it may be used in weighing a letter.

Figure 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2, showing the shape of the opening in the housing through which the indicator strip passes.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the nut which cooperates with the resistance spring.

With reference to the drawing, I have shown my pocket scale constructed in such a manner that it has the appearance of a fountain pen. This scale embodies a main housing I of substantially cylindrical form which is preferably made of molded plastic material although it may be made of other suitable material. The upper end of this cylindrical housing is open (Figure 1) but the lower'portion of the wall thereof converges, as indicated at 2, and substantially closes the lower end thereof.

The inner surface of the wall of the cylindrical housing I is threaded at its upper end as indicated at 3. The threads terminate at a point spaced a substantial distance within the end of the housing. A washer 4 is inserted in the end of housing I and rests against a shoulder 5 formed adjacent the end of the housing. Thus, the washer will be spaced within the end of the housing as indicated in Figure 1.

The threaded portion 3 at the upper end of the housing is also adapted to receive a reduced portion 6 which has its outer surface threaded and which is formed on the lower end of a cap member 1. The outer portion of this cap member is of substantially frusto-conical form. Because of the reduced portion 6 a shoulder 8 is formed thereon which limits inward movement of the cap relative to the housing. The cap 1 has a chamber 9 of substantially cylindrical form pro duced therein.

The chamber 9 is adapted to receive a knurled knob III which is formed or keyed on the upper end of a screw ll. When the cap I is positioned properly on the end of the housing, it contacts with the end of knob I0 and normally prevents rotation thereof. The screw H passes down through an opening I! disposed centrally therein.

may be readily assembled. .The tension of the spring lfi may be initially adjusted so that it will 'h'ave'the proper resistance in order that the scale 'willweigh accurately. The tension of the spring may'be'readily varied by rotating the, spring bodily within the washer 4. The screw Il may rotate in the opening H2. The lower end of knob l 0 will rest on the upper surface of washer 4 as indicated in Figure l. The lower portion of the screw l l is threaded for a substantial distance as indicated at l3. The threaded portion i3 is adapted to receive a threaded nut I4. The threaded nut i; has cars 15 projecting from the peripherythereof at diametrically opposed points (Figure '6). The upper endof a tension spring l8 of helical form surrounds the nut 14 and the ears I5 project outwardly through the space between convolutions thereof.

The lowerend of the spring l6 has a calibrated strip ll suspended therefrom which is,

preferably made of the same material as housing I. This calibrated strip H is preferably rectangular in cross section and-extends downwardly through an opening N3 in the extreme lowerend of the housing I (Figure 5). The strip I? is free to SlidG'I-ill opening 18' :but cannotrotate therein. The sideedgesof opening it are preferably recessed as at I80. to reduce sliding friction between the edges of the opening'and the strip 1:! to .a minimum. The calibrations IS on the strip are preferably inounces and are adapted to. cooperate with the lower edge 2-9 of opening 18 to indicate the weight of a letter orother article. As will be explained later, the Zero mark of the-calibrations is initially. positioned at the point 25. The calibrations or marks on strip .l'are preferably indented therein and filled with enamel of a different color than housing I so they will be visible readily.

The lower end of the strip ll has a pair of cooperating spring-clips 24' which are preferably riveted thereto as at 22. Each of the clips 2| is bowed as at 23 and when both of the clips are disposed in cooperative relation they contact at a point 24;.

However, the extreme lower ends of the clips diverge as indicated at 25 so that a letter may be readily'inserted therebetween. When a letter is inserted between the spring clips it will be automatically gripped by-such clips. At

the point Where the upper ends of spring clips 2| areattached to strip l'l,'the strip is recessed on both sides in order that shoulders 211w are formed which cooperate with the upper ends of ,members 2| to prevent swinging of such members around the rivet. The upper end of the cali- :The outer surface of the housing I is threaded adjacent its lower end as indicated at 26. This threaded portion 26 is adapted to receive a cooperatively threadedportion formed on the inner .surface and adjacent-the open end of a substantially cylindrical cap member 21.

The lower end of'the cap member 27 (Figure 1) is closed. This cap member is adapted to completely enclose the spring clips 2| and the portion of the strip I! which projects from the lower end of the housing I. The cap '27 is provided with a spring clip 28 of a suitable type for holding the letter scale in the pocket when it is properly positioned It will be apparent from Figure 1 how the scale relative to the nut I4. This will increase or decrease the efiective length of the spring and will, consequently, vary the resistance thereof. The spring will be retained in adjusted position by friction between ears l5 of nut M and the convolutions of spring IS. The resistance of the spring may be initially adjusted at the plant or shop where the unit is made and under ordinary conditions no further adjustment thereof will be necessary.

The knurled knob I!) is provided so that the zero mark on the calibrated strip H may be accurately positioned at the point 20 which is the extreme lower edgeof the opening iii in the lower end of housingl. When the cap l is removed the knurled knob 10 may be readily rotated. .Since the strip I7 is of rectangular form and the opening l8 is'of similar'shape, rotation of the strip l and, consequenty, the spring H3, will be precluded upon rotation of knob ill and rotation ofnut 14 will be precluded by friction. There fore; the screw it will thread farther through or be retracted farther from the nut M. Consequently, the strip H will be raised or lowered and the zero mark thereon may be accurately positioned at the point 20. The cap I will normally be in position on the housing and will contact with the upper surface of knob ill to prevent rotation thereof.

When it is desired to place this scale in the pocket the cap 2'! will be threaded in place and the scale will resemble a fountain pen as indicated in Figure 3. When it is desired to use this scale the cap 21 is removed and the housing i may be held as indicated in Figure 4. Although the cap is not shown in this figure, it may be slipped over the upper end of the body portion l and be supported thereon during the weighing operation. The letter or other article to be 'out of the lower end of housing I.

'It'will be understood from the above descr'iption that I have provided a pocket letter scale having many desirable features not possessed by prior art scales. This device has the appearance of a fountain pen or a pencil and may be conveniently'carried in the pocket. It is'attractive in appearance. My pocket scale is of verysimple construction, has a minimum number of parts, can be manufactured at alow"cost"an'd can be easily assembled or disassembled. The resistance of the spring of this scale may be readily varied so that the initial resistance of the spring may be accurately adjusted. Also, it is possible to adjust the calibrated rod upwardly or downwardly so that the zero mark thereon will always be,

and is fully protected.

Although this scale has beendescribed with reference to the weighing of letters, it is obvious F that it may be employed for weighing various 1. A weighing scale of the type described comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having its upper end open and its lower end substantially closed but having a small angular opening in said lower end, a washer disposed in the upper open end of said housing, a screw extending through said washer and having a knob on its upper end which rests on said washer and projects up above the upper end of said housing, a cap having a reduced portion which is threaded into the extreme upper end of said housing above said washer, said cap having a chamber therein for receiving and enclosing the knob on the upper end of said screw and normally contacting with the screw to prevent rotation thereof, the lower end of said screw being threaded and having a nut threaded thereon, said nut having ears projecting therefrom at diametrically opposed points, a tension spring which has its upper end surrounding said last named collar in such a manner that the ears on the collar project between convolutions thereof, a strip suspended from the lower end of said spring and projecting through the opening in the lower end of said housing, said strip being calibrated, said strip also being of angular cross section so that it will not rotate in the opening but being free to slide therethrough, said strip and said opening being of such shape that the strip will contact with only a portion of the walls of the opening, a spring clip connected to the lower end of said rod and adapted to receive a letter or the like therebetween and to automatically grip it, and a cap member of substantially cylindrical form threaded onto the lower end of said housing and enclosing said spring clip and the portion of the calibrated strip which projects from said housing.

2. A weighing scale of the type described comprising a hollow casing having its upper end open and its lower end substantially closed but having a small angular opening in said lower end, a washer disposed in the upper open end of said casing, a screw extending through said washer and having a knob on its upper end which rests on said washer, a cap removably mounted on the upper end of said casing, said cap having a chamber therein for receiving and enclosing the knob on the upper end of said screw, the lower end of said screw being threaded and having a nut threaded thereon which carries a member that projects outwardly therefrom, a tension spring disposed in said casing and having its upper end surrounding said nut with said projecting member on the nut extending between convolutions thereof, a calibrated strip suspended from the lower end of said spring and projecting through the angular opening in the lower end of said casing, said strip being of angular cross section so that it will not rotate in the opening but being free to slide therethrough, means on the lower end of said strip adapted to grip a letter or the like, and a cap member removably mounted on the lower end of said casing and enclosing said gripping member 3. A weighing scale of the type described comprising a hollow casing, a screw disposed within said casing and projecting through a member adjacent the upper end thereof, a cap removably mounted on the upper end of said casing for normally preventing access to the upper end of said screw, the lower end of said screw being threaded and having a nut threaded thereon which carries a member that projects outwardly therefrom, a tension spring disposed in said casing and having its upper end surrounding said nut with said projecting member on the nut extending between convolutions thereof, a calibrated strip suspended from the lower end of said spring and projecting through an angular opening in the lower end of said casing, said strip being of angular cross section so that it will not rotate in the opening but being free to slide therethrough, and means on the lower end of said strip adapted to grip a letter or the like.

4. A weighing scale of the type described comprising a hollow casing, a screw disposed within said casing and projecting through a member adjacent the upper end thereof, a cap removably mounted on the upper end of said casing for normally preventing access to the upper end of said screw, said cap when mounted properly on said casing contacting with the upper end of said screw so as to normally prevent turning of the screw, the lower end of said screw being threaded and having a nut threaded thereon which carries an outwardly projecting portion, a tension spring disposed in said casing and having its upper end surrounding said nut with said projecting portion on the nut extending between convolutions there of a member suspended from the lower end of said spring, and means on the lower end of said member f or suspending the article to be weighed therefrom.

WILLIAM A. SCHEURER. 

